Position adjusting apparatus for a printing machine



H. BLOCHL 3,209,684

POSITION ADJUSTING APPARATUS FOR A PRINTING MACHINE Oct. 5, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 7, 1963 INVENTOR.

HANNS BLOCHL Fig.7

Oct. 5, 1965 H. BLGCHL 3,209,684

POSITION ADJUSTING APPARATUS FOR A PRINTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HANNS BL CiCHL United States Patent POSITION ADJUSTING APPARATUS FOR A 3"" TING MACE Hanns Bloch], Unterhaching, Germany, assignor to Agfa Alrtiengesellschaft, Leverkusen, Germany Filed Nov. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 322,230

Claims priority, application Germany, Nov. 10, 1962,

A 41,594 23 Claims. (Cl. 101-248) The present invention relates to a position adjusting arrangement for a printing machine, and more particularly to apparatus for adjusting the relative position between the foil cylinder and the other printing means of an office printing machine.

Adjustment of the relative position of a printing form and a copy sheet require a relative movement between the foil cylinder and the printing means. In known constructions, a transmission member is connected to the printing means and can be coupled to the foil cylinder by a nut and bolt means passing through a circumferential slot in the transmission member. The slot in the transmission member permits a relative turning between the transmission member and the cylinder when the nut is loosened. When the machine operates, the bolt and nut turn with the cylinder, and since the machine is covered by a casing, it is necessary to provide a cutout in the casing, and to turn the printing machine to a position in which the bolt and nut means register with the cutout in the casing so as to permit the operator to loosen and tighten the nut for the purpose of adjusting the relative position between the cylinder and the printing means.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an apparatus permitting adjustment of the relative position between the cylinder and the printing means of a printing machine in any turned position of the cylinder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact, and inexpensive apparatus serving this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus with a manual operating member which in one position can be operated to disengage the coupling between the cylinder and the printing means, and in another position adjusts the relative position between the cylinder and the printing means of a printing machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating means which can be placed in an operative position permitting an adjustment of the relative position between the cylinder and the printing means irrespective of the angularly displaced position of the cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for operating a revolving clamping nut through a reduction gear transmission requiring a small manual force.

Another object is to provide means for adjusting the relative position between the foil cylinder and the printing means of an office printing machine from outside of an enveloping casing, irrespective of the angular position of the cylinder.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a position adjusting arrangement for an office printing machine. According to one embodiment, the printing machine comprises a cylinder having an axis; a transmission member, such as a gear, adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with the cylinder; coupling means having a coupling position connecting the members, and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of the members; and operating means manually turnable about the axis of the cylinder member and operatively connected to the coupling means in all positions of the same. When the operating means place the coupling means in the disengaged position, the rela tive position of the printing means and cylinder member can be adjusted in any turned position of the cylinder member.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means include a coupling member which is moved by a control means, for example a threaded bolt and a nut thereon, between coupling and disengaged positions. A gear is secured to the nut, and meshes with a gear of the operating means, so that the coupling connection between the cylinder and the transmission member can be interrupted, permitting a manual adjustment of the relative position of the cylinder member and transmission member, and thereby of the printing means.

Preferably, the manually operated means can be shifted to a position coupled with the shaft of the cylinder, so that the nut is first loosened, whereupon the cylinder member is turned relative to the transmission member and printing means to an adjusted relative position, whereupon the nut is tightened after the gears of the operating means and of the nut have been again placed in meshing engagement.

In one embodiment of the invention, the manual operating means are detachable and are placed on the shaft of the cylinder only when an adjustment is necessary. In another embodiment of the invention, the manual operating means are permanently mounted on the shaft of the cylinder and are urged by the spring to a normal position in which the cylinder, coupling member and nut and bolt means can freely rotate.

In order to facilitate the relative turning of the cylinder and printing means, it is advantageous to provide another manually operated member passing through an opening in the casing and having a gear meshing with the transmission member for turning the same relative to the foil cylinder. The turning of the foil cylinder is accomplished by the manual operating means when the same is coupled in the normal position thereof to the shaft of the foil cylinder.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, a printing means, shown to be a foil cylinder 3 has a shaft 2 secured thereto by a pin 4 and supported in a ball bearing on a wall 1 of the machine frame. Only one wall 1 is shown in FIG. 1, and it will be understood that the other end of cylinder 3 is mounted in a corresponding manner for rotation about the axis of shaft 2. A coupling member 6 has a hub 5a which is secured by a pin 5 to shaft 2 so that coupling member 6 rotates with cylinder 3. A transmission member 7, shown to be a gear, is mounted on hub 5a for free turning movement about the axis of shaft 2, and is prevented from axial movement by a split ring 8. Conpling member 6 has annular ridges 6b confronting a lateral face of transmission member 7, and a circumferentially extending slot 6a which registers with an opening 7a in transmission member 7.

A threaded bolt 9 passes through opening 7a and has a head 9a secured by a pin 10 to transmission member 7 so that the bolt cannot turn. The threaded portion 9b of bolt 9 passes through slot 6a and carries a nut 12 and a gear 13 which is fixedly secured to nut 12 and turns with the same on the threaded portion 9b of bolt 9. A blocking disc 14 at the end of the bolt limits axial movement of nut means 12, 13 so that the same cannot be screwed off bolt portion 9b. A washer 11 between nut 12 and coupling member 6 increases the friction between the nut and the coupling member. It will be understood that turning of gear 13 will cause an axial movement of nut 12 so that coupling member 6 can be clamped to transmission member 7 in a coupling position, while turning of the nut in opposite direction will disengage the coupling connection between coupling member 6 and transmission member 7. A spring 22 is located in a recess of coupling member 6 and fritionally engages the lateral face of transmission member 7 so that transmission member 7 has no tendency to turn relative to coupling member 6 even when nut 12 has been moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 and coupling member 6 is in the disengaged position.

A casing 15 envelops the apparatus and has an opening 15a through which shaft 2 passes. Manual operating means are provided on the shaft and include a substantially cylindrical member 16 which is preferably injection molded, and partly enveloped by a plastic cover 17. Member 16 includes a gear means 16a and a sleeve formed with opposite recesses 16b in which the end portions of a coupling pin 19 are located in the illustrated position into which member 16, 17 is urged by a spring 18 abutting the hub portion a of coupling member 6 and the bottom of a recess in the gear means 16a. In this position, manual turning of member 16 causes turning of shaft 2 with printing cylinder 3.

When operating means 16, 17 is manually shifted to the left against the action of spring 18, gear means 16a passes through opening 15a and assumes a position meshing with gear 13 on nut 12 while member 16 is disengaged from coupling pin 19 and shaft 2.

When member 16, 17 is turned in this shifted position, gear 13 and nut 12 turn at a slower rotary speed than member 16, 17 since gear means 16a has a diameter smaller than the diameter of gear 13. When member 16, 17 is turned in one direction, the nut 12 moves to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 and urges coupling member 6 to a coupling position frictionally engaging transmission member 7 with ridges 6b. When member 16, 17 is turned in the opposite direction, the pressure of nut 12 on the coupling member 6 is relieved so that coupling member 6 is disengaged from transmission member 7. Another manually operated member 20 is mounted on wall 1 and carries a gear 21 meshing with transmission member 7. When coupling member 6 is in the disengaged position, transmission member 7 can be turned by member 20 an angle limited by the circumferential extension of slot 6a. On the other hand, turning of member 16, 17 in the illustrated position in which the same is coupled to shaft 2, will effect angular displacement of cylinder 3 with coupling member 6 relative to transmission member 7, the relative angular turning being again limited by the circumferential length of slot 6a, since bolt 9 on transmission member 7 abuts the ends of slot 6a in two terminal relatively displaced angular positions of coupling member 6 with cylinder member 3.

Transmission member 7 is operatively connected to other printing means including a counter pressure roller 32 cooperating with the foil cylinder 3 during printing operations and a gear 30 secured to shaft 312 of counter pressure roller 3a and meshing with transmission gear member 7. The relative position between the first printing means with foil cylinder 3 and the second printing means with counter pressure roller 3a determines the position of the imprint on the copy sheet, and such relative position is adjusted by the apparatus of the present invention in the following manner:

Member 16, 17 is manually shifted to the left from the illustrated position so that gear 16a meshes with gear 13. Member 16, 17 is turned by the operator in the shifted position so that gear 13 is turned by gear means 16a and turns nut 12 in such a direction that the coupling between coupling member 6 and transmission member 7, and between the first and second printing means, is disengaged.

When member 16 and 17 is now released and shifted by spring 18 to the illustrated position in which coupling pin element couples the sleeve element of member 16 to shaft 2, turning of operating means 16, 17 will cause turning of shaft 2 with foil cylinder 3, and particularly if transmission member 7 is prevented from turning by holding of member 20, coupling member 6 with cylinder 3 will turn relative to transmission member 7 to an adjusted position in which the printing form on cylinder 3 and the copy sheet on counter pressure roller 3a, which is blocked by gears 7, 21, are properly positioned relative to each other.

It is also possible to turn member 20 and thereby transmission member 7 with the printing means 3a, 3b, 3c, including the counter pressure roller 3a and a copy sheet thereon while shaft 2 and foil cylinder 3 are prevented from rotation by holding the member 16, 17

When the desired relative position between cylinder 3 and the counter pressure roller 3a, corresponding to a particular relative position of coupling member 6 and transmission member 7, is reached, member 16, 17 is again shifted to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 to a position in which gear means 16a meshes with the gear 13, so that by turning of member 16, 16a, 17, nut 12 is turned through the reduction transmission 16a, 13 to a position pressing transmission member 7 against coupling member 6 so that further rotation of cylinder 3 and coupling member 6 will take place in synchronism with transmission member 7 and the printing means 301, 3b, 3c driven thereby. During such normal operation, gear 21 is preferably shifted in axial direction to a position disengaged from the transmission member 7.

Since gears 16a and 13 constitute a reduction transmission, a greater force is exerted on the nut means than is applied by the operator on member 16, 17.

Due to the provision of spring 22 which frictionally connects members 6 and 7, no angular displacement between members 6 and 7 takes place while nut 12 is being turned to move coupling member 6 and transmission member 7 to the coupling position.

Since bolt 9 and nut 12 are mounted on transmission member 7, the axis of bolt 9, nut 12, and gear 13 will revolve along a circular path about the axis of shaft 2. Irrespective of the angular position of transmission member 7, it will be possible to move gear means 16a to a position meshing with gear 13 since gear means 161; has an axis coinciding with the axis of shaft 2 from which the axis of gear 13 is equidistant in all angularly displaced positions of transmission member 7 and cylinder 3. Consequently, an adjustment can be carried out irrespective of the position in which the machine has been stopped, which is an advantage as compared with prior art constructions in which an eccentric opening was provided in the casing for adjusting a clamping nut in a single angular position of the foil cylinder.

It will be appreciated that members 12, 13 and 9 constitute a control means for shifting the coupling member 6 between a coupling position and a disengaged position and that the operating means 16, 17, 16a are adapted to be connected to the control means 12, 13 in all angularlly displaced positions of transmission member 7 with b0 t 9.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of printing machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for adjusting the relative position between the foil cylinder and the counter pressure roller of an office printing machine in every position of the foil cylinder, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing machine, in combination, a cylinder member having a first axis; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said members for rotation about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means being connected with one of said members to revolve with the same about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; and operating means manually turnable about said first axis and adapted to be connected to said control means in said displaced positions of said control means for operating said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means and the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member.

2. In a printing machine, in combination, a cylinder member having a first axis; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said members for rotation about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means including a gear turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means being connected with one of said members to revolve with the same about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; and operating means including a gear means manually turnable about said first axis and adapted to mesh with said gear of said control means in said displaced positions of said control means for operating said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means and the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member.

3. In a printing machine, in combination, a cylinder member having a first axis; a shaft projecting from said cylinder member; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said members for rotation about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means being connected with one of said members to revolve with the same about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; and operating means mounted on said shaft for axial movement between a first and a second shifted position, and

being turnable on said shaft in said first position and coupled to said shaft in said second position, said operating means including a gear means turnable about said first axis and adapted to mesh with said gear in said first shifted position and for operating said control means in said displaced positions of said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member, said operating means including a coupling element for coupling said operating means with said shaft in said second shifted position so that the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted.

4. In a printing machine, in combination, a cylinder member having a first axis; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said members for rotating about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means including a threaded bolt mounted on said transmission member, and a nut mounted on said threaded bolt for clamping said coupling member in said coupling position to said transmission member, said nut including a gear turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means revolving with said transmission member about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; and operating means including a gear means manually turnable about said first axis and adapted to mesh with said gear of said control means in said displaced positions of said control means for operating said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means and the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member.

5. In a printing machine, in combination a cylinder member having a first axis; a shaft projecting from said cylinder member; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said members for rotation about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means including a threaded bolt mounted on said transmission member, and a nut mounted on said threaded bolt for clamping said coupling member in said coupling position to said transmission member, said nut including a gear turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means revolving with said transmission member about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; and operating means mounted on said shaft for axial movement between a first and a second shifted position, and being turnable on said shaft in said first position and coupled to said shaft in said second position, said operating means including a gear means turnable about said first axis and adapted to mesh with said gear in said first shifted position and for operating said control means in said displaced positions of said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member, said operating means including a coupling element for coupling said operating means with said shaft in said second shifted position so that the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted.

6. In a printing machine, in combination, a foil cylinder having a shaft and being rotatable with the same about a first axis; a transmission member mounted on said shaft for turning movement about said first axis and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder; a coupling member mounted on said shaft and secured to the same for rotation therewith, said coupling member being located adjacent said transmission member and having an elongated slot; a threaded bolt mounted on said transmission member and having a second axis parallel to said first axis, said bolt having a portion projecting through said slot; nut means turnably mounted on said portion and including a gear, said bolt and nut means revolving with said transmission member about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions, said nut means being turnable for moving said coupling member to a coupling position frictionally engaging said transmission member, said nut means havin another position releasing said coupling member for movement to a disengaged position; and operating means mounted on said shaft for axial movement between first and second shifted positions and including a gear means meshing with said gear in said first shifted position and releasing said gear in said second shifted position so that said nut means can be operated in said displaced positions to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling posi tions whereby the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder.

7. A printing machine as set forth in claim 6 and including means on said shaft for blocking movement of said operating means beyond said second shifted position; and spring means on said shaft for urging said operating means to said second shifted position whereby said gear means does not mesh with said gear during normal operation of said cylinder.

8. In a printing machine, in combination, a foil cylinder having a shaft and being rotatable with the same about a first axis; a first coupling element on said shaft; a transmission member mounted on said shaft for turning movement about said first axis and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder; a coupling member mounted on said shaft and secured to the same for rotation therewith, said coupling member being located adjacent said transmission member and having an elongated slot; a threaded bolt mounted on said transmission member and having a second axis parallel to said first axis, said bolt having a portion projecting through said slot; nut means turnably mounted on said portion and including a gear, said bolt and nut means revolving with said transmission member about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions, said nut means being turnable for moving said coupling member to a coupling position frictionally engaging said transmission member, said nut means having another position releasing said coupling member for movement to a disengaged position; and operating means mounted on said shaft for axial movement between first and second shifted positions and including a second coupling element cooperating with said first coupling element in said second shifted position, and a gear means meshing with said gear in said first shifted position and releasing said gear in said second shifted position so that said nut means can be operated in said displaced positions to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions and whereby the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder by said operating means.

9. A printing machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first coupling element is a pin secured to said shaft and having end portions projecting from the same, and wherein said second coupling element is a sleeve having recesses for receiving said end portions in said second shifted position.

10. A printing machine as set forth in claim 6 and including a spring located between said coupling member and said transmission member for urging said coupling member to said disengaged position and establishing a frictional connection between said transmission member and said coupling member in said disengaged position.

11. A printing machine as set forth in claim 6 and including a blocking element on said bolt for limiting axial movement of said nut means so that the same cannot be screwed off the end of said bolt.

12. In a printing machine, in combination, a foil cylinder having a shaft and being rotatable with the same about a first axis; a transmission gear member mounted on said shaft for turning movement about said first axis and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder; a manually operated member including a gear meshing with said transmission gear member for manually turning the same relative to said foil cylinder; a coupling member mounted on said shaft and secured to the same for rotation therewith, said coupling member being located adjacent said transmission gear member and having an elongated slot; a threaded bolt mounted on said transmission member and having a second axis parallel to said first axis, said bolt having a portion projecting through said slot; nut means turnably mounted on said portion and including a gear, said bolt and nut means revolving with said transmission member about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions, said nut means being turnable for moving said coupling member to a coupling position frictionally engaging said transmission gear member, said nut means having another position releasing said coupling member for movement to a disengaged position; and operating means mounted on said shaft for axial movement between first and second shifted positions and including a gear means meshing with said gear in said first shifted position and releasing said gear in said second shifted position so that said nut means can be operated in said displaced positions to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions whereby the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder can be adjusted in a turned position of said cylinder.

13. In a printing machine, in combination, a foil cylinder having a shaft and being rotatable with the same about a first axis; a transmission member mounted on said shaft for turning movement about said first axis and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder; a coupling member mounted on said shaft and secured to the same for rotation therewith, said coupling member being located adjacent said transmission member and having an elongated slot; a threaded bolt mounted on said transmission member and having a second axis parallel to said first axis, said bolt having a portion projecting through said slot; nut means turnably mounted on said portion and including a gear, said bolt and nut means revolving with said transmission member about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions, said nut means being turnable for moving said coupling member to a coupling position frictionally engaging said transmission member, said nut means having another position releasing said coupling member for movement to a disengaged position; and operating means mounted on said shaft for axial movement between first and second shifted positions and including a gear means meshing with said gear in said first shifted position and releasing said gear in said second shifted position so that said nut means can be operated in said displaced positions to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions whereby the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder, said gear means having a smaller diameter than said gear so that said nut is turned by said operating means at a reduced speed.

14. In a printing machine, in combination, a foil cylinder having a shaft and being rotatable With the same about a first axis; a transmission member mounted on 9 said shaft for turning movement about said first axis and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder; a coupling member mounted on said shaft and secured to the same for rotation therewith, said coupling member being located adjacent said transmission member and having an elongated slot; a threaded bolt mounted on said transmission member and having a sec ond axis parallel to said first axis, said bolt having a portion projecting through said slot; nut means turnably mounted on said portion and including a gear, said bolt and nut means revolving with said transmission member about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions, said nut means being turnable for moving said coupling member to a coupling position frictionally engaging said transmission member, said nut means having another position releasing said coupling member for movement to a disengaged position; a casing enveloping said transmission member, coupling member, said bolt, [and said nut means and having an opening through said shaft projects to the outside of said casing; and operating means mounted on said shaft outside of said casing for axial movement between first and second shifted positions and including a gear means located within said casing and meshing with said gear in said first shifted position and releasing said gear in said second shifted position so that said nut means can be operated in said displaced positions to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions whereby the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder.

15. In a printing machine, in combination, a foil cylinder having a shaft and being rotatable with the same about a first axis; a transmission gear member mounted on said shaft for turning movement about said first axis and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder; a coupling member mounted on said shaft and secured to the same for rotation therewith, said coupling member being located adjacent said transmission gear member and having an elongated slot; a threaded bolt mounted on said transmission gear member and having a second axis parallel to said first axis, said bolt having a portion projecting through said slot; nut means turnably mounted on said portion and including a gear, said bolt and nut means revolving with said transmission gear member about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions, said nut means being turnable for moving said coupling member to a coupling position fri-ctionally engaging said transmission gear member, said nut means having another position releasing said coupling member for movement to a disengaged position; a casing enveloping said transmission gear member, coupling member, said bolt, and said nut means and having an opening through said shaft projects to the outside of said casing, said casing having a second opening; a manually operated member located outside of said casing and having a shaft passing through said second opening, a gear fixed to said last mentioned shaft located inside said casing and meshing with said transmission gear member so that the same can be manually turned relative to said cylinder; and operating means mounted on said shaft outside of said casing for axial movement between first and second shifted positions and including a gear means located within said casing and meshing with said gear in said first shifted position and releasing said gear in said second shifted position so that said nut means can be operated in said displaced positions to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions whereby the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder.

16. In a printing machine, in combination, a cylinder member having a first axis; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said members for rotation about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means including a gear turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means being connected with one of said members to revolve with the same about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; and operating means including a gear means having a diameter smaller than said gear so that said control means is operated at a reduced speed, said gear means being manually turnable about said first axis and adapted to mesh with said gear of said control means in said displaced positions of said control means for operating said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means and the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member.

17. In a printing machine, in combination, a cylinder member having a first axis; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said members for rotation about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means including a gear turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means being connected with one of said members to revolve with the same about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; a casing enveloping said transmission member, said coupling means, and said control means and having an opening registering with said first axis; and operating means including a manually operated member adapted to pass through said opening in said casing and including 'a gear means turnable about said first axis and adapted to mesh with said gear of said control means in said displaced positions of said control means for operating said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means and the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member.

18. In a printing machine, in combination, a cylinder member having a first axis; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said member for rotation about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means being connected with one of said members to revolve with the same about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; a casing enveloping said transmission member, said coupling means, and said control means and having an opening registering with said first axis; and operating means passing through said opening in said casing and being turnable about said first axis and connected to said control means in said displaced positions of said control means for operating said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means and the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member.

19. In a printing machine, in combination, a cylinder member having a first axis; a transmission member disposed coaxially with said cylinder member and adapted to be connected to printing means cooperating with said cylinder member; coupling means including a coupling member having a coupling position fixedly connecting said member for rotation about said first axis and a disengaged position permitting relative turning movement of said members; control means turnable about a second axis parallel to said first axis for moving said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions, said control means being connected with one of said members to revolve with the same about said first axis between a plurality of angularly displaced positions; a casing enveloping said transmission member, said coupling means, and said control means and having an opening registering with said first axis; and operating means having a first position passing through said opening in said casing and being turnable about said first axis and connected to said control means in said displaced positions of said control means for operating said control means to move said coupling member between said disengaged and coupling positions so that said control means can be adjusted in any turned position of said cylinder member, said operating means having a second position coupled with said cylinder member so that the relative position of said printing means and said cylinder member can be adjusted.

20. In a printing machine, in combination, first rotary printing means; second rotary printing means disposed to cooperate with said first printing means; a coupling means having a disengaged position and a coupling position for connecting said first and second rotary printing means for synchronous rotation during printing operations; control means for actuating said coupling means; and manual operating means mounted for movement in a first direction between a first position connected with said control means and disengaged from said first and second rotary printing means and a second position coupled with one of said rotary printing means and disengaged from said control means, said operating means being movable in a second direction transverse to said first direction for actuating in said first position said control means to operate said coupling means between said disengaged and coupling positions, and causing in said second position while said coupling means is in said disengaged position relative angular displacement between said first and second rotary printing means while said manual operating means in said first position is not moved by either of said rotary printing means.

21. In a printing machine, in combination, first rotary printing means; second rotary printing means disposed to cooperate with said first printing means; a coupling means having a disengaged position and a coupling position for connecting said first and second printing means for synchronous rotation during printing operations; control means for actuating said coupling means; and manual operating means mounted for axial movement between a first position connected with said control means and disengaged from said first and second printing means and a second position coupled with one of said printing means and disengaged from said control means, said operating means being turnable for actuating in said first position said control means to operate said coupling means be- 12 tween said disengaged and coupling positions, and causing in said second position while said coupling means is in said disengaged position relative angular displacement between said first and second printing means while said manual operating means in said first position is not turned by either of said rotary printing means.

22. In a printing machine, in combination, first rotary printing means; second rotary printing means disposed to cooperate with said first printing means; transmission means connected to one of said printing means and including a rotary transmission member; a coupling means having a disengaged position and a coupling position for connecting said transmission member with the other pr nting means so as to connect said first and second printing means for synchronous rotation during printing operations; control means for actuating said coupling means; and manual operating means mounted for axial movement between a first position connected with said control means and disengaged from said first and second printing means and a second position coupled with said one printing means and disengaged from said control means, said operating means being turnable for actuating in said first position said control means to operate said coupling means between said disengaged and coupling positions, and causing in said second position while said coupling means is in said disengaged position relative angular displacement between said first and second printing means while said manual operating means in said first position is not turned by either of said rotary printing means.

23. In a printing machine, in combination, first rotary printing means; second rotary printing means disposed to cooperate with said first printing means; transmission means including a shaft connected to one of said printing means and a rotary transmission member secured to said shaft; a coupling means having a disengaged position, and a coupling position for connecting said transmission member with the other printing means so as to connect said first and second printing means for synchronous rotation during printing operations; control means for actuating said coupling means; and manual operating means of circular shape mounted on said shaft for axial movement between a first position connected with said control means and disengaged from said shaft and said first and second printing means and a second position coupled with said shaft and said one printing means and disengaged from said control means, said operating means being turnable for actuating in said first position said control means to operate said coupling means between said disengaged and coupling positions, and causing in said second position while said coupling means is in said disengaged position relative angular displacement between said first and second printing means while said manual operating means in said first position is not turned by either of said rotary printing means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,830,534 4/58 Springer et al. 101132.5 2,905,086 9/59 Zahradnik 10l-248 2,993,438 7/61 Stephenson lO1--248 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A PRINTING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, A CYLINDER MEMBER HAVING A FIRST AXIS; A TRANSMISSION MEMBER DISPOSED COAXIALLY WITH SAID CYLINDER MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO PRINTING MEANS COPERATING WITH SAID CYLINDER MEMBER; COUPLING MEANS INCLUDING A COUPLING MEMBER HAVING A COUPLING MEANS INCLUDING A COUPLING SAID MEMBERS FOR ROTATION ABOUT SAID FIRST AXIS AND A DISENGAGED POSITION PERMITTING RELATIVE TURNING MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBERS; CONTROL MEANS TURNABLE ABOUT A SECOND AXIS PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST AXIS FOR MOVING SAID COUPLING MEMBER BETWEEN SAID DISENGAGED AND COUPLING POSITIONS, SAID CONTROL MEANS BEING CONNECTED WITH ONE OF SAID MEMBERS TO REVOLVE WITH THE SAME ABOUT SAID FIRST AXIS BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF ANGULARLY DISPLACED POSITIONS; AND OPERATING MEANS MANUALLY TURNABLE ABOUT SAID FIRST AXIS AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SAID CONTROL MEANS IN SAID DISPLACED POSITIONS FOR SAID CONTROL MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID CONTROL MEANS TO MOVE SAID COUPLING MEMBER BETWEEN SAID DISENGAGED AND COUPLING POSITIONS SO THAT SAID CONTROL MEANS AND THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID PRINTING MEANS AND SAID CYLINDER MEMBER CAN BE ADJUSTED IN ANY TURNED POSITION OF SAID CYLINDER MEMBER. 